You have this vision. You turn your vision into reality...and execute with perfection. But what happens when someone else has the same vision or perhaps even steals your idea? The issue of copy right and who's idea belongs to whom is a controversial one in today's entertainment industry, and certainly not an uncommon scenario. Remember Laze, the artist part of The Trinity and Gifted Miinds? He has a story that I feel beyond compelled to share with you...

"Artist Wale said in mid March 2013 that he had an album dropping called "The Gifted". We tried to contact him via twitter saying "Wale you should purchase our ORIGINAL Gifted Snap for your album cover" along with a picture of our design since our hat said "Gifted", we were trying to reach out in a positive manner. He never replied, even though we didn't expect him to. A month later after the tweet he releases a picture through his instagram of a "Gifted" snapback created by Nicky Diamonds who is a very similar look to our snapbacks that's been in the market for over a year (see pictures). Our fans, members and followers online started to bash him for the look alike hat, not only the look alike but more because of him trying to start a Gifted movement that exist, talking about signing artist and embracing the Gifted this year. Artist Wale then replied via Instagram claiming " They just wrote the title of my album on a snapback bruh..Don't be one of those weirdos..i"mma busy man…etc" (see pictures). He ignored the fact the hats do in fact look alike, and the fact his album title is "The Gifted" not "Gifted" is what makes this a coincidence. His fans started to defend him, but once they seen our hats, pictures, and dates they began to agree with us and view the situation from our point of view, and that his hats are a real look-alike (see pictures). Once it began to get viral designer Nicky Diamond also responded(see picture) using their fame to belittle us saying " haha .. i have never seen or heard of your brand". We did not do it for publicity, ignorance, but for a stand on what we have been building the last few years. If and when these hats go on retail for $30, $35 they will be over charging on what they claim to be just a "word", easy money huh? But when we sell and ship around the world for $25 flat and add more to that "word" with our pyramids it seems unfair to our following, our business, our creative artist and mostly the customers buying. When that word has more of a value, appearance and meaning to us more than anyone."

What do YOU think?? Comment below, share the post on your Facebook and Twitter. Show your love and support!

I hope you have voted for your favorite artists in the Underrated Rapper contest! We are now down to our final 5 - who do you think should take home the trophy? To take a listen go to www.therealstreetracers.com and VOTE.
On another note... I would like to introduce you to one of the artists competing in our contest: Laze, a unique talent part of The Trinity, a rap group based out of Newark, NJ. I was fortunate enough to get in touch with Laze to ask him a few questions about him and his team's company, Gifted Miinds, providing us with a fresh outlook on clothing and music.

How did you start your music career?

Gifted Miinds started their career in 2011, all it took was 1 upload on youtube and the reaction from the public. All of our 6 recording artist developed thru a pen and a pad or just a instrumental and rhymes of the top. The Gifted Miinds eclectic group the Trinity has been the face of music since 2011 who include artist Lokii Jay, Lotus and Laze. The Trinity have been creating a buzz with the help of the Gifted Team, performing at gigs, and promoting online. The rest of our recording artist Pharoah, Wize, and Profit have been working on their come up as they hit up the GM studio working on new music. The Newark NJ, based group is sure to bring a new essence to the culture with their rhymes and clothing, be sure to check us out www.GiftedMiinds.com !

What is your first memory/encounter with music?

There is a limitless amount of memories in this family, we aren't only a group we are family wether it be just hanging in the basement and freestyling a crazy verse, a funny scene shooting a video, or rocking a crazy show. The most memorable encounter we've experience was our 1st performance at Union County College NJ. It was our 1st show, and there was 2 prizes, $100 from the judges and $50 from the crowd, we were the winners for both prizes taking the $150 home that night! We Performed our track called Armageddon and the crowd immediately connected, we also threw free shirts for the crowd they loved it and so did we, by far that is our most memorable. #JERSEY

The idea behind Gifted Miinds is to connect with the world all the gifted people out there, most importantly our YOUTH. The Gifted is a reference of our talents, our movement, and most importantly our fans, and Miinds includes the double "ii" to reference the groups logo the 2 brained alien that sums up together "Gifted Miinds". We all have a gift, sometimes we feel discourage because of where we come from, the daily struggles we face, or the way we are made specially in our hometown Newark NJ. The ideal purpose and heart of this movement is to inspire the youth, guide them through our music and open their eyes and mind to the world, stick up for Jersey and walk with them thru their life and welcome them to walk along with ours musically.

What inspires you on a daily basis?

Our inspiration is everything. Where we started and where we stand is an inspiration, the love from fans, our family, and the life in Jersey. The drive comes from our personal struggles, we all have a story to tell, we all have a point to come across, we all have someone to reach out to, we all have lost before, and are searching to gain thru our passion and live through our dreams. You inspire me.

How did you start getting involved with fashion/merchandise? What year did you release the brand?

We first got started with our brand and designing late 2011, we designed through an iPad and sketches and officially released our brand on April 2012 dropping the GM Alien snapback design. Since, we have been producing and have released, sweaters, t-shirts, pins, beanies, and snapbacks for our customers. The brand was created as another outlet for the music to get to consumers, to show a different talent in our art and to give our fans high quality designed products at an affordable price, not for the gain of money but a connection which is richer than anything in this world. All designs are created in-house by Laze and the GM crew. The Newark based brand has gained exposure through music and online sells touching grounds like NY, Texas, Maryland, VA, LA, NJ, all the way to the UK and growing daily. Be sure to check out our clothing. "We all have a Gifted, Lets Wear it"

What are some of your proudest accomplishments over the past couple of years?

One of the proudest accomplishments would be when kids messaged us and said they're dream is to meet us, or how we inspired them to do music. Another one is the faith we give people, the strength of believe they shower us with, claiming we are the future for Jersey, it's what means most to us.

What are the future plans for Gifted Miinds?

Gifted Miinds Entertainment will be releasing new music from our artist, new videos and clothing. We hope to keep reaching out to people across the world and inspiring the youth. Our plan is to be the future, the best is yet to come. follow us, one love, one Gifted. #Giftedmiinds